Now home to some of America’s biggest names in beer like Anheuser Busch, St. Louis always had the upper hand in the brewing industry. Before electricity became available commercially, brewers had to find a way to keep their brews cold; strangely enough, it was Missouri’s vast cave network which made brewing so successful.
Brewers would store their German-style lagers in the caves to keep them cool for customers. By the mid-1800s, several large breweries competed against each other for control of the industry, each placing their storefronts above large caves used for beer storage. Thus began the rich beer culture St. Louis still fosters today.
Though the Lou boasts big-name breweries, craft breweries remain at the heart of its love for beer. One of the most-loved craft breweries in St. Louis is 4-Hands Brewing Company, owned by Kevin Lemp in Lasalle Park. You can find 4-Hands’ brews in restaurants all around St. Louis. They offer six year-round beers as well as seasonal beers, all made in the 20,000 square foot brewing facility. 3,000 of those square feet are dedicated to barrel aging, ranging from whiskey to wine to provide an interesting and changing line of beers. 4-Hands Brewing Company is a great place to visit for a bite to eat and a quick taste of St. Louis brews.
Another gem of St. Louis brewing is 2nd Shift Brewing. Established in 2010, 2nd Shift Brewing exemplifies one man’s passion for brewing. Owner Steve Crider received a brew kit for Christmas and began experimenting with different flavors and aromas until he found some that stuck. Steve became a brewmaster in his free time, saying brewing was his “2nd shift of the day.” Now located on the Hill, the 2nd Shift brewing team invites customers down for a drink that “will make your liver beg for mercy.”
Perhaps one of the newest St. Louis breweries is Narrow Gauge Brewing Company, opened in June 2016. Nestled beneath the delicious Cugino’s restaurant in Florissant, this kid-friendly brewery is locally owned and operated. They only sell their brews on the premises and produce less than 1,500 barrels a year. This keeps the brewery small and cozy, so it is the perfect place to take the family for an afternoon taste; even well-behaved pups are allowed on the Narrow Gauge dog-friendly patio! It is named after the West End Narrow Gauge railroad, which used to extend from St. Louis to Florissant. Though the railroad no longer runs, the name lives on through this well-loved and homey brewery.
We’ve told you some of our favorite breweries; now it’s your turn! Take a picture at your favorite craft brewery and tag us on Instagram @relocatingstl for the chance to make it onto our page.
